Award-Winning Costume and Set Designer Tony Walton Dies at 87

According to a Deadline article, acclaimed costume and set designer Tony Walton has passed away at the age of 87. He died on March 2nd from issues related to a stroke. Bridget LeRoy, his stepdaughter, released the news of his death on Facebook, writing, "A fond and loving farewell to the most fabulous stepdad and human being in the world. Love you forever, Tony Walton. Have a great trip."

Tony Walton was a director and designer, honored with 16 Tony Award nominations for his Broadway sets and/or costumes. Pippin, House of Blue Leaves, and Guys and Dolls won him Tonys. Among his 20 films, Mary Poppins, The Boy Friend, The Wiz and Murder on the Orient Express earned him five Academy Award nominations. All That Jazz won him the Oscar and "Death of a Salesman" the Emmy. Previous designs for the world of Dickens include those for ten years of annual presentations of A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. In 1991 he was elected to the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Walton was born in Surrey, England. His wife, Gen LeRoy, daughters Emma Walton Hamilton and Bridget LeRoy, and grandchildren outlive him. Deadline writes that a private memorial service is to be held at Sag Harbor, as well as a public memorial at sometime in the future.

His extensive list of award nominations and wins are as follows:

Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Set Design - Play

Tony Walton, Uncle Vanya (won)

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton, Uncle Vanya

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Set Design - Musical

Tony Walton, Steel Pier

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1997 - Best Set Design

Tony Walton, Steel Pier

Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton, Steel Pier

The Lortels - 1996 - Outstanding Scenic Design

Tony Walton, A Fair Country (won)

The Hewes Awards - 1994 - Scenic Design

Tony Walton, She Loves Me

Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton, She Loves Me

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Set Design

Tony Walton, Guys and Dolls

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1992 - Best Set, Costume and Lighting Design

Tony Walton, Four Baboons Adoring the Sun

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton, Guys and Dolls (won)

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Revival

Tony Walton, The Will Rogers Follies

Drama Desk Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Set Design

Tony Walton, Lend Me a Tenor (won)

Drama Desk Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Set Design

Tony Walton, Grand Hotel

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1989 - Best Set Design

Tony Walton, Lend Me a Tenor

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Costume Design

Tony Walton , Anything Goes

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton , Anything Goes

Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Costume Design

Tony Walton, Anything Goes

Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Set Design

Tony Walton, Anything Goes

Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton, The Front Page

The Hewes Awards - 1986 - Scenic Design

Tony Walton, The House Of Blue Leaves (won)

Tony Awards - 1986 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton , The House of Blue Leaves (won)

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Set Design

Tony Walton, The Real Thing

Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton, The Real Thing

Tony Awards - 1980 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton , Chicago

Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Set Design

Tony Walton, Pippin (won)

Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Set Design

Tony Walton, Shelter (won)

Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Scenic Design

Tony Walton, Pippin

Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Costume Design

Tony Walton, The Apple Tree

Photo Credits: Walter McBride